sheepshepherdess

North Fork of the North Fork American River

This is a steep mining trail that has many nice switchbacks and beautiful old growth trees. It is only a mile down and one of the easier trails I have been on in this beautiful canyon.  I will say though it is a steep climb out. The water in the NF of the NF American river is icy cold, and some of the points of destination require swimming, such as the entrance to the gorge of many gorges.  I did not make it to the pool of cold fire that is what I understand to be the entrance to this area,  that will be in August sometime when its a bit warmer (maybe). There is an abundance of Lady bugs more than I have ever seen on the South Fork Yuba River.

One of the many switchbacks.

Amongst the Sugar Pine's and the Ponderosa Pines.

 
A very large Ponderosa Pine (right me if I am wrong, just learning these trees).

Some old friends.

 

Amazing color in the slate rock.

Underwater rock bed.

A view heading twords the gorge's. Taken with Canon 5dmk11

Sun dreams in a private paradise after a very cold swim.

Mock Orange in beautiful bloom.

Tree scars from the raging waters.

This was a creek that you can hear most of the mile on the trail.  Notice the red on the rocks many thousands of ladybugs.

 
    

   I have not identified this creek as of yet. Take with Canon5dmk11.

most pics taken with a canon G11.

  

 

North Fork American River

Location: North Fork American River:

This is another strenuous trail. This is another place where you really got to want to be there.

The trail  was very steep and slippery.  It was harder to go down than to get back up.

Manzanita, Sugar Pine and Ponderosa Pine,  line a lot of the trail. There are also many oaks who's leaves are the most slippery to walk on and the hardest tree for me to identify the type.  I have been working on plant identification much more this year and will continue to do so.

From what I can tell by looking at topo maps and reading this is a view of Moody Ridge from the Diggings.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

Looking Down the canyon from Chert Point.

Grand View of Giant Gap,Sawtooth Ridge, and Monumental.

Incredible crystal formations at Chert Point.

View looking East from Chert Point.

Chert Point with a view of the quartz veins in the rocks.

The first thing we seen was a butterfly dance on the sand along the river. From what my books say for identification the yellow butterfly is a Western Swallowtail the others are Pale Swallowtail's.   

North Fork American river heading towards Giant Gap.

North Fork American River looking down from the Giant Gap.

Amazing Colors.  

Rock Formations.

 

Incredible Rocks.
  Foothill Yellow-legged Frog correct me if I am wrong.

All pics taken with a Canon G11

    

 

  

  

North Fork American River

Location: North Fork American River.  

As Gambolinman says "You really got to want to be here". I thought I had died and gone to heaven the beauty and splendor of this area only got better with each step.  I would have to think this is the reason I will always take the pain to hike where only the strong minded will dare to go, sometimes with determination beyond physical abilities.

This is a 14 mile or so round trip with a drop into a deep canyon where you pass Devils Peak and head into a canyon with a spectacular view of snow mountain,  Finally descending on the Royal Gorge. 

To read more about this amazing area and get a better written essay see this mans blog.  

http://gambolinman.blogspot.com/2009/08/royal-gorge-first-annual-russell-towle.html

Devils Peak

Amazing trail with views of the heavens.  

This trail also can become very obscure. 

Can I have this in my front yard?

 
One of many lakes we walked past

Palisade Creek

 
Palisade Creek 

Me in my world.... My friends quote after saying I want two days and nights here."This would be like staying in a five star hotel for you"  Yep ! it would and shall be.

Stairway to Heaven

Palisade Creek looking down.

Snow Mountain.

Snow Mountain with waterfalls.

Speechless View looking into the Gorge.  

How many shots does this card hold?

North Fork American River.

North Fork American River.

North Fork American River with Palisades creek flowing in. That will be my 2 night adventure later in the month.

Trail Marker. 

All trail photos taken with a Canon G11 all river photos with my Canon 5D mark11.

It would have been to hard to0 carry a full frame camera around my neck walking in or out of this canyon.